ALERT: Mindy in Manhattan

It was Saturday, but unfortunately another long work day, too. I woke feeling surprisingly good just ahead of 430am. I brushed my teeth and did my calisthenics then did meditation and a stretch.

I headed for the gym just a couple minutes after 5am. Soon I was on the treadmill and running up a good sweat. Finished in something close to 29 minutes. Back to the room for a shower.

Same routine, a shave and a shower. I wore a black short sleeved button up shirt with jeans. I headed down to the lobby at 610am where I picked up a cup of coffee. I didn’t buy oatmeal since I already had one in my back pack. The night before I thought I might tell the lobby desk that my wife was coming in midday and to let her in my room. However, in my hurry to get to the subway, I forgot. Met Dave and Natalee and we headed off.

Because it was Saturday, the subway terminal and platform was a much less crowded. It was a pleasant morning in the financial district, and a nice walk to the building.

Breakfast was served earlier than most other days – well before 8am. I grabbed only a poppy seed muffin and more coffee. Again, I had oatmeal in my back pack.

Stayed real busy all morning long. Mindy texted early morning letting me know that she intended to try and get on the early afternoon flight via standby. Leaving for the airport around noon. Worked hard. Dave, Chad and I took a break around 11am and walked over to the waterfront park. It was gorgeous. Nothing but blue skies and sunshine.  And of course we were badgered on our way out and then back in.

Mindy texted that she was at the airport. It wasn’t 30 minutes later that we received word that our work assignment would end after Monday. I was thrilled with the news. I let Mindy know the news just ahead of 2pm. She was already at the airport waiting to catch the standby flight to NYC. About a half hour later she said the flight was full – couldn’t get on. Wouldn’t be leaving CMH until 520pm. Said she was gonna go after food and wine. Also said if that one got canceled she wasn’t gonna come.

There was an all-hands meeting called around 3pm to cover the details surrounding our work assignment ending. The meeting lasted about 30 minutes.  I spent a couple hours that afternoon making travel arrangement for home on Tuesday. Also canceled my Labor Day weekend round trip ticket. That felt good.

Mindy texted again around 5pm to let me know that she was finally on a plane bound for Newark. I made plans with a handful of peeps to meet in Grand Central terminal some time after Mindy arrived with plans to hit the town immediately after. On the agenda were stops at Rockefeller Center and Time Square. Mindy sent another text around 7pm to let me know that she landed. I was already out of the office and walking for the

Fulton St

subway terminal by then.

The subway ride home went quickly. Back at the hotel by 720pm. Chilled out on the bed for a while then connected to the internet on my laptop. Mindy called around 8pm to let me know that she was in the lobby. I went down to greet her. And just like that, my wife was more than a voice or a text message. She was a live person standing before my eyes. She looked amazing, too. After a brief hug and kiss we headed back to the room.

We weren’t in the room long before Chad, a work peep, called to let me know that he and several others were in the lobby of Grand Central waiting for us to meet them. Told ‘em we’d be down in a jiffy. Bella called as we made our way down the elevator to the lobby. Now that I had my trip home booked for Tuesday, I shared the news with Bella. She let out a shrill of elation. Mindy did a nice job introducing herself to everyone while I talked with Bella.

After a brief meet and greet we headed out on the town making our way up

fifth avenue

towards Rockefeller Plaza.  I was the acting tour guide. We had a blast making several impromptu stops including one at St Patrick’s Cathedral for a photo op.

Rockefeller Center is a complex of several beautiful buildings and always bustling with activity no matter the hour. We took several photos and checked out all the touristy offerings, including the Today Show studio. And the plaza itself, very cool. Checked out Radio City music Hall, too.

Most of us were hungry and thirsty. Once in Time Square we quickly found a restaurant/bar – the Brasserie. We headed inside where we were lead upstairs to the 2^nd level and two tables. They offered only bottled beer upstairs. I headed back to the first level where I knew they had drafts. There, I bought a Brooklyn Lager for myself and an Australian Shiraz for Mindy.

Looking over the menu, there wasn’t anything that really caught my fancy. I was more eager to drink a couple beers than I was to eat. Did however, order their pita and artichoke platter as an appetizer a bit later. I was hoping it would be similar to CBC’s artichoke dip. It wasn’t. It was more like whole artichokes in a guacamole sauce. I ate it only passively.

We hung there long enough to drink two beers. In total, there were eight of us (Raj, Chad, Steve, Vicki, Paul & Susan, me & Mindy). By the time we left for new digs, we’d gotten to know each other, even if superficially, pretty well. Mindy was telling her ‘Jim’ stories, much to the amazement of the others. Shared ‘where’d you meet’ stories too. Texted Natalee just before we hit the street. She talked with Mindy a little too. Said they were still down in the financial district and most likely wouldn’t be able to meet us.

We headed out looking for the naked cowboy. Never did find him, though. We did happen upon Spiderman. A couple of the girls wanted their photo taken with him.  Like the Saturday prior, Time Square was jam packed with humanity. Somebody spotted the Roxy Deli and suggested that we had to head inside even if just for a drink. We all agreed. Said to have the biggest sandwiches one’s ever seen.

We were lead up two flights of stairs to a smallish room with maybe five tables.  I ordered a Sam Adams from our server who was of Arabic descent. His real name was something like Myogi. I guessed Faruk. He was very, very jovial and funny. Seemed to enjoy our drunken humor. Mindy and the girls nick named him - what else - Jim. That became the running joke.  And he was more than happy to play along.

We ordered two sandwiches to share – corn beef and then the ham & bacon. During our visit, I exchanged numerous texts with Natalee. Said they decided to come to Time Square and meet up with us after all.  Guided them in from the Time Square subway terminal. I walked down to meet them in the restaurant lobby.

Ordered another round of beers, my fourth of the night. The sandwiches arrived. They were huge. The ham and bacon might’ve been stacked 6” high. The bread on both was a little dry, though. The prices were higher than I’ve seen anywhere - $23 for the ham & bacon and $15 for the corned beef.

We finished up there then headed out on Time Square again. Mindy mentioned that she was fading and suggested that we head back to our room. I offered that we get one more beer. After all, Natalee, Dave, and Rircardo had just arrived. Mindy went along with the plan. We decided to visit the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

Once again, the beer selection left a lot to be desired. Think I drank a Sam Adams draft. Didn’t stay there too long. Mindy mentioned that she was fading again. Said it was after 1am. I thought not. Checked my Droid. It was near 130am. Wow! Where had the night gone? The group of six that came up from the financial district earlier left ahead of Mindy & I to catch a taxi for home. Dave, Natalee, and Ricardo remained at the bar when Mindy and I left on foot.

It’s not a long walk from Time Square back to the hotel at all – maybe 4 or 5 blocks. It was good to head to bed with my wife at my side. Good night NYC!